For nearly 50 years, Paul Finebaum dominated college football conversations. But when politics came calling, his answer never changed. The veteran analyst has now revealed why he refused to make the switch.

On Wednesday, Finebaum received the Sports Media Lifetime Achievement Award at the Barrett Media Audio Summit. Just hours before the ceremony, he was asked why he never joined politics, and his answer was blunt.

“Win or lose, and I do believe we would have won. I would have sold my soul and given up something I worked hard to ascertain for what,” explained Finebaum about the decision not to run for the Senate.

He reasoned that he "can't get up there and mimic a talking point that I don't believe and I believe to be patiently false."

Finebaum, in his conversation at the Barrett Media Audio Summit, expressed that he had spent enough time with political advisers to know that they would have controlled "what I have to say. What I can’t say and how many times I have to say this and that."

A political career came knocking at his door last August when Tommy Tuberville decided to leave his Alabama Senate Seat to run for governor.

Finebaum was asked to consider becoming part of the government, but at the time, he was unsure of his decision.

The 'Mouth of the South' spent three months contemplating whether to enter politics. During that time, fans urged him to continue his work at ESPN and on The Paul Finebaum Show.

After a brief discussion with his wife, Dr. Linda Hudson, he ultimately decided not to run for office. One of the reasons he said no at the time was because the college football season was underway.

But could he enter politics after retiring from broadcasting in the future?

Paul Finebaum’s verdict on a future political run

Back when Finebaum was asked to run for the Senate seat, his backers strongly urged him to enter politics, assuring him that they believed he would win if he ran. Finebaum was initially interested, but he remained cautious about his decision.

“There was a time in this country when it really would have been enjoyable. You could be collegial and work with others across the aisle. But today, the stuff that is said every single day is insane,” said Finebaum in the same conversation at Barrett Media Audio Summit.

After everything he went through during those three months, Finebaum has said a big no to his politics.

“That’s not right or left, it’s both,” notes Finebaum. “After you go through this, you realize how bad it is. I still feel I could add something to society, but it won’t be as an elected official.”

What are your thoughts on Paul Finebaum? Should he have run for office? Let us know in the comments!

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Written by

Suryakant Das

Edited by

Aadesh Dhote